Retrieve LME Zinc (LME-ZNC) Historical Prices Easily with Metals-API

Retrieve LME Zinc (LME-ZNC) Historical Prices Easily with Metals-API

In the rapidly evolving world of metal markets, the ability to access real-time and historical data is crucial for developers and businesses alike. One of the most sought-after metals is Zinc, represented by the symbol XZN. With the Metals-API, retrieving historical prices for LME Zinc has never been easier. This blog post will delve into the various features of Metals-API, focusing on how developers can leverage this powerful tool to access Zinc's historical prices and much more.

About Zinc (XZN)

Zinc is a versatile metal widely used in various industries, including construction, automotive, and electronics. As the demand for Zinc continues to rise, driven by technological advancements and digital transformation in metal markets, having access to accurate and timely data becomes essential. The integration of smart technology and data analytics in the metal industry has opened new avenues for innovation, allowing businesses to make informed decisions based on real-time insights.

As we explore the capabilities of Metals-API, it’s important to consider how this API empowers developers to build next-generation applications that can analyze trends, forecast prices, and optimize supply chains. The future of Zinc pricing and trading will undoubtedly be shaped by the ability to harness data effectively.

API Description

The Metals-API is a robust platform designed to provide real-time and historical data for various metals, including Zinc. With its innovative architecture, the API allows developers to access a wealth of information, enabling them to create applications that can track market trends, analyze price fluctuations, and even convert between different metals and currencies.

Metals-API offers a variety of endpoints that cater to different needs, from retrieving the latest rates to accessing historical data dating back to 2008. The API's capabilities are designed to support developers in building applications that require precise and timely data, ensuring that they can stay ahead in a competitive market.

Key Features and Endpoints

Metals-API provides several key features that enhance its usability for developers:

  • Latest Rates Endpoint: Depending on your subscription plan, this endpoint returns real-time exchange rate data updated every 60 minutes or every 10 minutes. This feature is essential for applications that require up-to-the-minute pricing information.
  • Historical Rates Endpoint: Access historical rates for most currencies dating back to 2019. By appending a specific date to the API request, developers can retrieve past pricing data for analysis and reporting.
  • Bid and Ask Endpoint: This powerful feature allows users to retrieve real-time Bid and Ask prices for metals, providing insights into market conditions and helping traders make informed decisions.
  • Convert Endpoint: The conversion endpoint enables users to convert any amount from one metal to another or to/from USD, facilitating seamless transactions and calculations.
  • Time-Series Endpoint: This endpoint allows developers to query the API for daily historical rates between two dates of their choice, making it easier to analyze trends over time.
  • Fluctuation Endpoint: Users can track how prices fluctuate on a day-to-day basis, providing valuable insights into market volatility.
  • Open/High/Low/Close (OHLC) Price Endpoint: This endpoint provides detailed pricing information, including the open, high, low, and close prices for a specific time period, which is crucial for technical analysis.
  • Historical LME Endpoint: Specifically designed for LME symbols, this endpoint allows users to access historical rates dating back to 2008, making it an invaluable resource for long-term analysis.
  • API Key: Each user is provided with a unique API key that must be included in requests to authenticate and authorize access to the API.
  • API Response: The API delivers exchange rates relative to USD by default, ensuring consistency in data interpretation.
  • Supported Symbols Endpoint: This constantly updated endpoint returns all available currencies and metals, allowing developers to stay informed about the latest offerings.
  • News Endpoint: Retrieve the latest news articles related to various metals, keeping users updated on market trends and developments.

API Endpoint Examples and Responses

Understanding the structure of API responses is crucial for effective integration. Below are examples of various endpoints and their corresponding JSON responses:

Latest Rates Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1743725344,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-04-04",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": 0.000482,
        "XAG": 0.03815,
        "XPT": 0.000912,
        "XPD": 0.000744,
        "XCU": 0.294118,
        "XAL": 0.434783,
        "XNI": 0.142857,
        "XZN": 0.344828
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

This response indicates that the latest rate for Zinc (XZN) is 0.344828 per troy ounce, providing developers with immediate access to current pricing.

Historical Rates Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1743638944,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-04-03",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": 0.000485,
        "XAG": 0.03825,
        "XPT": 0.000915,
        "XPD": 0.000748
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

This example shows how to access historical rates for a specific date, allowing for detailed analysis of price movements over time.

Time-Series Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "timeseries": true,
    "start_date": "2025-03-28",
    "end_date": "2025-04-04",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "2025-03-28": {
            "XAU": 0.000485,
            "XAG": 0.03825,
            "XPT": 0.000915
        },
        "2025-03-30": {
            "XAU": 0.000483,
            "XAG": 0.0382,
            "XPT": 0.000913
        },
        "2025-04-04": {
            "XAU": 0.000482,
            "XAG": 0.03815,
            "XPT": 0.000912
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

This response provides a time-series view of Zinc prices, enabling developers to visualize trends and fluctuations over a specified period.

Convert Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "query": {
        "from": "USD",
        "to": "XAU",
        "amount": 1000
    },
    "info": {
        "timestamp": 1743725344,
        "rate": 0.000482
    },
    "result": 0.482,
    "unit": "troy ounces"
}

The Convert Endpoint allows users to convert amounts between different metals and currencies, making it easier to perform calculations and transactions.

Fluctuation Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "fluctuation": true,
    "start_date": "2025-03-28",
    "end_date": "2025-04-04",
    "base": "USD",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": {
            "start_rate": 0.000485,
            "end_rate": 0.000482,
            "change": -3.0e-6,
            "change_pct": -0.62
        },
        "XAG": {
            "start_rate": 0.03825,
            "end_rate": 0.03815,
            "change": -0.0001,
            "change_pct": -0.26
        },
        "XPT": {
            "start_rate": 0.000915,
            "end_rate": 0.000912,
            "change": -3.0e-6,
            "change_pct": -0.33
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

This endpoint provides insights into how prices fluctuate over time, which is essential for traders looking to capitalize on market movements.

OHLC (Open/High/Low/Close) Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1743725344,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-04-04",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": {
            "open": 0.000485,
            "high": 0.000487,
            "low": 0.000481,
            "close": 0.000482
        },
        "XAG": {
            "open": 0.03825,
            "high": 0.0383,
            "low": 0.0381,
            "close": 0.03815
        },
        "XPT": {
            "open": 0.000915,
            "high": 0.000918,
            "low": 0.00091,
            "close": 0.000912
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

The OHLC endpoint provides critical data for technical analysis, allowing traders to assess market conditions and make informed decisions.

Bid/Ask Endpoint

{
    "success": true,
    "timestamp": 1743725344,
    "base": "USD",
    "date": "2025-04-04",
    "rates": {
        "XAU": {
            "bid": 0.000481,
            "ask": 0.000483,
            "spread": 2.0e-6
        },
        "XAG": {
            "bid": 0.0381,
            "ask": 0.0382,
            "spread": 0.0001
        },
        "XPT": {
            "bid": 0.000911,
            "ask": 0.000913,
            "spread": 2.0e-6
        }
    },
    "unit": "per troy ounce"
}

This endpoint provides current bid and ask prices, which are essential for traders looking to enter or exit positions in the market.

Common Developer Questions

As developers begin to integrate the Metals-API into their applications, several common questions arise:

  • How do I authenticate my API requests? Each request must include your unique API key as a parameter to authenticate and authorize access.
  • What is the rate limit for API requests? Rate limits vary based on your subscription plan. It’s essential to review the documentation to understand your specific limits.
  • How can I handle errors in API responses? The API provides detailed error messages in the response, which can help you troubleshoot issues effectively.

Practical Use Cases and Integration Strategies

Integrating Metals-API into your applications can unlock numerous possibilities:

  • Market Analysis Tools: Build applications that analyze historical price data to identify trends and make predictions.
  • Trading Platforms: Create trading platforms that utilize real-time data to facilitate transactions and provide users with up-to-date pricing information.
  • Financial Reporting: Use historical data to generate reports for financial analysis and decision-making.

Performance Optimization and Security Considerations

When integrating the Metals-API, consider the following best practices for performance optimization:

  • Implement caching strategies to reduce the number of API calls and improve response times.
  • Monitor API usage to stay within rate limits and avoid throttling.
  • Ensure data validation and sanitization to protect against potential security vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Metals-API offers a comprehensive solution for accessing real-time and historical data for Zinc and other metals. By leveraging its powerful features, developers can create innovative applications that analyze market trends, optimize trading strategies, and provide valuable insights into the metal markets. With the ability to access detailed pricing information, fluctuations, and historical data, the API empowers users to make informed decisions in a rapidly changing environment.

For more information on how to get started with Metals-API, refer to the Metals-API Documentation and explore the Metals-API Supported Symbols to find the data you need. Embrace the future of metal trading with the power of real-time data at your fingertips.

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